What's Up With Pumpkin? Health Benefits + A Delicious Recipe for a Cozy Fall Day!

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Nothing screams "fall" quite like a cozy baked good, especially when it's pumpkin! 

Everyone knows pumpkin is delicious, but did you know that it's also incredibly nutritious? These are some of the nutrients you can get from eating pumpkin, along with their health benefits: 

  • Vitamin E: An antioxidant that strengthens your immune system. 
  • Iron: Reduces fatigue by aiding in the transport of oxygen to your body tissues. It can also support the immune system!
  • Magnesium: Helps to maintain cardiovascular health and bone health. 
  • Vitamin C: An antioxidant that supports immune health and also helps collagen formation (think strong skin, bones, and other connective tissues) and iron absorption. 
  • Potassium: Helps maintain healthy blood pressure, allows muscles to contract, and aids in overall fluid balance in the body. 
  • Carotenoids, tocopherols: Antioxidant effects, which reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. This nutrient also promotes eye health!
  • Tryptophan: Used to make melatonin and serotonin, which help to regulate processes such as sleep, appetite, mood, and pain. 
These nutrients, along with many others, are known to promote antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and in some cases even antidiabetic effects. 


Pumpkin is a fantastic seasonal food to add to your diet this fall because it's tasty AND healthy! It also makes amazing sweet treats, which everyone needs during a long semester. This recipe is sure to satisfy that craving while also providing some quality nutrition! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Makes 30 cookies | Prep 15 minutes | Cook 11 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt for 20 seconds, then set aside. 
  3. In an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. 
  4. Mix in egg and vanilla, then combine pumpkin puree. 
  5. On low speed, slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until nearly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  6. With a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips while folding the batter until evenly combined.
  7. Drop 2 tbs of dough at a time onto lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart. 
  8. Bake until cookies are nearly set (11-13 minutes). 
  9. Allow to cool for several minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack. 
  10. Store in an airtight container. 
  11. Enjoy!

https://www.cookingclassy.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies/#jump-to-recipe 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9182978/ 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/carotenoids 

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002332.htm


L.F. 

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